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In the house of assembly on Wednesday, Liberal Paul Lane demanded to know why the province is telling the English school board to deal with overcrowding by restructuring. (Rob Antle/CBC)

The plan to revamp a number of schools in Mount Pearl and Paradise landed on the floor of the house of assembly on Wednesday.

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is restructuring grades in those communities to deal with overcrowded buildings.

But the Opposition told the legislature that students and parents will be the victims.

Liberal Paul Lane demanded to know why the province is telling the board to handle the overcrowding issue by restructuring.

"One of the core issues is government forcing the school board to jam students into every inch of space, regardless of the numerous negative impacts before any consideration will be given to capital improvement or school expansion requests," Lane said.

"The absence of any financial commitment from government is having a significant impact on the board's ability to develop suitable options for the reorganization of the Mount Pearl [and] Paradise school system."

School district consulted parents

Meanwhile, Education Minister Clyde Jackman said the changes are being implemented independently of government.

"The school board has gone out and consulted with the parents, Mr. Speaker. We are not putting limitations on the school board," said Jackman.

"Is he [Lane] asking me to get involved in the middle of this? Because, Mr. Speaker, this is exactly why we have the board. Just look at our record in this particular area. Two new schools in Paradise. School in C.B.S. underway."

The school board is anticipating having most of the changes in place by September.